AJAX GARCIA: I Was Approached About Playing Guitar For GUNS N' ROSES

[Nicos]

Ajax Garcia, founder of late '90s punk rock n' roll band THE NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS, was reportedly approached about filling the vacant guitarist slot in GUNS N' ROSES following the recent departure of Buckethead.

In a press release date April 7, 2004, Ajax explained how he came to be mentioned as a possible touring member of Axl Rose's new band:

"Yes I was contacted by GUNS N' ROSES bassist Tommy Stinson on playing guitar for GUNS N' ROSES," Ajax said in a statement. "I was informed by a mutual friend that Axl Rose was possibly interested in a replacement for Buckethead so I expressed my own interest. Mr. Stinson got the word and called me. He didn't really elaborate about the status of GN'R's relationship with Buckethead at the time but would only say that he wanted to get back with me and would definitely let me know what is up when the timing was right. Stinson seemed like a real cool guy but I have yet to hear back from him or anyone else from that camp. This doesn't mean that I would not welcome the opportunity to play guitar with the new version of GUNS N' ROSES.

"In my opinion Axl Rose is an amazing personality and talent. The real deal! In regards to the way he runs his show? His business is his business. I run my show as well with THE BLOWNAPARTS and it isn't easy. If something fucks up? The leader shoulders 100% of the blame and ultimately ends up the bad guy or the asshole.

"The general public has a hard time swallowing pills this big. Look at Morison, or Richards? Hell, what about Gene Simmons for that matter? He is super successful and so that makes him an easy target for criticism. Axl Rose knew what he wanted and he went for it and I commend him for that.

"GUNS N' ROSES are like the STONES, or ZEP for my generation. I was part of the whole Generation X label and I remember the press trying to tag NIRVANA and Kurt Cobain as the voice of my generation. Although they were great at what they did, Kurt Cobain or NIRVANA as a whole definitely did not speak too or for me like GUNS did.

"I always looked at GUNS N' ROSES and NIRVANA like THE BEATLES and the STONES with NIRVANA being THE BEATLES of course. GUNS put it best for me in one song, 'It's So Easy'. Axl sang I see you standing there, you think you're so cool. Why don't you just fuck off!!! That was some bad-ass shit, man.

"Keep on moving forward GUNS N' ROSES."

*****

source: blabbermouth

[Dont Try Me]

hmmm

[Johnnyblood]

Never heard of the guy. I wonder if Axl has.

[Immortal-Cry]

Never heard of the guy. I wonder if Axl has.

So do you think Stinson can contact anyone he wants? Everythin is under the controll of The Axl  

[Voodoochild]

Well.. since he was a punk-rock guitar player, how could he replace a virtuoso like Buckethead?  
He is (was?) the lead singer of this Napoleon Blown Apart band...
He also know someone who was in GNR Camp:

The NAPOLEON BLOWN APARTS have also been talking with Ex-Guns'n Roses guitarist Gilby Clark on producing their next full length. Ajax felt that Gilby Clark would be a great producer for the band. With Gilby being in Guns'n Roses he is exactly what Ajax and his band are looking for a producer that knows first hand the trash and filth it takes to make a raw, loud and volatile rock'n'roll record. Look for a new NAPOLEON BLOWN APARTS CD by the end of this year.


Source: http://www.blistering.com/news/newsdet.php3?ID=1969

[Voodoochild]

Uh, another info (it's the same thing, but with another source):

Wednesday April 7.2004
Samantha Larsen
"The Loud Americana Group"
323.993.8510
 
Ajax N' Roses? Lead guitarist of "The NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS" confirms conversation with Guns N' Roses bassist Tommy Stinson.
 
Yes I was contacted by Guns N' Roses bassist Tommy Stinson on playing guitar for Guns N' Roses. I was informed by a mutual friend that Axl Rose was possibly interested in a replacement for the "Bucket Head" so I expressed my own interest, Mr. Stinson got the word and called me. He didn't really elaborate about the status of G N' R's relationship with Bucket Head at the time but would only say that he wanted to get back with me and would definitely let me know what is up when the timing was right. Tommy seemed like a real cool guy but I have yet to hear back from him or anyone else from that camp. This doesn't mean that I would not welcome the opportunity to play guitar with the new version of Guns N' Roses. In my opinion Axl Rose is an amazing personality and talent and though I am a bit reserved he reminds me allot of a dynamic version of my self. The real deal! In regards to the way he runs his show?  His business is his business. I run my show as well with The Blownaparts and it isn't easy. If something fucks up? the leader shoulders 100% of the blame and ultimately ends up the bad guy or the asshole. The general public has a hard time swallowing pills this big. Look at Morison, or Richards? hell what about Gene Simmons for that matter? he is super successful and so that makes him an easy target for criticism. Axl Rose knew what he wanted and he went for it and I commend him for that. Guns N' Roses are like the Stones, or Zep for my generation. I was part of the whole Generation X label and I remember the press trying to tag Nirvana and Kurt Cobain as the voice of my generation. Although they were great at what they did? Kurt Cobain or Nirvana as a whole definitely did not speak too or for me like Guns did. I always looked at Guns N' Roses and Nirvana like the Beatles and The Stones with Nirvana being the Beatles of course. Guns put it best for me in one song. "It's So Easy". Axl sang I see you standing there, you think you're so cool. Why don't you just fuck off!!! that was some bad ass shit man!! Keep on moving' forward Guns N' Roses and if ya need? have Marshall n' Les Paul will travel (laughs).

source: http://blownaparts.com/AAA.htm (official site)

[Izzy]

Intresting...

First we hear of Gilby possibly joining, now this Ajax guy, seems Axl's up to something

Never heard of this Ajax guy or his band, are they any good?

[DizzyReed63]

Out of the past few guys discussed about taking over... this guy seems like the best choice so far in "fitting in."

Seems like he'd be a good addition, and he's also a good merchandise guy/artist, too.
And as far as I feel, just get someone who can play the part, be a committ-full member, and start putting stuff together.

All this speculation and such, I'm just thinking, "ok, whatever, just get it done!"

[RyanMFGs]

WOW, guy certainly had some strong comments, especially concering the whole nir vana thing. sounded like he was sucking up, but i still thought it was cool

[grabaraxl]

if u go to their site, u canr learn that they are being photographed by robert john, and that their lead singer also tried to get in velvet revolver.

seems like some big gn'r fans trying to get publicity, as far as i'm concerned!

but i also think that whoever axl gets for the guitar spot, will be a nobody like this guy. at least somebody who's not very famous.

[Voodoochild]

Hey guys, this band is not bad at all. I like it, reminds me Slash with all this wha-wha work..  It's good for me.

http://www.bigkidztoy.com/aterriblewaytolive.mp3

You can also check a little interview with this guy here (no GNR or Axl mention): http://www.bigkidztoy.com/BIGKIDZAJAX.htm

Here's a pic:

[Dont Try Me]

the mp3 is kinda cool, the photo is scary

[Voodoochild]

the mp3 is kinda cool, the photo is scary

Indeed. But isn't too far away from the other members... He's like a mix with Fortus and Finck.  

[McGann]

In a press release date April 7, 2004, Ajax explained how he came to be mentioned as a possible touring member of Axl Rose's new band:

I'm probably reading too much into this, but the term "touring member" may indicate that the new guitarist may not be rerecording Bucket's guitar parts.  Could be good news if it's true, assuming that Stinson actually said "touring member" at some point.
/Mike

[killingvector]

It sounds like they maybe trying to get Buckethead back in the mix but in lieu of that imminent failure, they may grab this guy.

he sounds like a great choice, much better than some of the saccharine laced choices bouncing around this board.

[Voodoochild]

Here's what he says about the song Save Me (I guess it's the actual name to the mp3 A Terrible Way To Live):

Boom Box #3 contains the track: "SAVE ME" Viva La ROCK! A musical look into the
past of singer song writer Ajax's life as a young boy growing up.
Raised on food stamps and government cheese this rocker
found peace through his music.
Listening  to this track you can't help but to hear  influences like, Iggy
Pop, AC/DC,The Dead Boys, and Guns N' Roses. This song rawks!  
CLICK HERE FOR LYRICS
{DESCRIPTION The Blownaparts reveal their metal roots but maintain the angst and raw power that make them punk}

I just heard all the album... It's not bad. This song, Save Me, is the better one, though. But I guess this guy is just one choice. He's too Slash and nothing like Bucket... Maybe Axl would put Fortus to the lead with Finck and this Ajax guy to the rhythm slot.... But I guess he's a good choice.

[erose]

i think that mp3 is fucking brilliant! the guitar has a really nice sound imo..

i think it's better to have a unknown guitarist in the band than some ex lb guy...

[Voodoochild]

Ok, I know, it's the last time:

Slash audition
 
Does Slash have my music? far as I know he has it. I just thought it might be a cool thing to pursue. I was told by a mutual friend of ours that recently Slash and those guys have found a singer already in Scott Weiland. Should be a cool and an interesting project to listen to. My friend who is also friends with them first gave me the heads up on the deal, I then asked my manager to make contact and we did. The CD was sent and that is all I can do, maybe they thought I sucked? (laughs)

I hope Slash and those guys sure do get it going because they are bad ass musicians.

source: http://blownaparts.com/AAA.htm

[Doc Emmett Brown]

WOW, guy certainly had some strong comments, especially concering the whole nir vana thing. sounded like he was sucking up, but i still thought it was cool

Sounded like that to me too...

But Angelinos could feel more welcoming of nuGNR if guy whose name is Garcia is in the band.  

[Voodoochild]

But Angelinos could feel more welcoming of nuGNR if guy whose name is Garcia is in the band.  

What's the problem with Garcia? Just because it's latin?